Tornadoes

Tornadoes are violent, rotating columns of air that usually occurs on the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. They usually start as a funnel cloud and can have winds of up to 300 miles per hour. Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. The strong winds inside a tornado can cause damage paths of more than a mile wide and up to 50 miles long.

While tornadoes may not be common in Rhode Island, every state is at risk for tornadoes. On June 1, 2011, nearby Springfield, MA, witnessed a devastating tornado that killed 3 people, injured over 300 and destroyed/damaged over 1,400 homes and businesses.

Tornadoes can occur very suddenly without much warning. Download our Tornado Safety Guide to keep your family prepared at all times.

Fujita Tornado Damage Scale (F-Scale)

Developed By Theodore Fujita, the “F-Scale” is used to categorize tornadoes by wind speed and damage.